I think you made a wise decision buying the 16-35 mm lens. You will get some really nice pics with it on you 5Dlll. It won't happen right away but as you get used to using it your results will improve. Put it on you camera and go to an outdoor car show and take pics. You will be able to get pics that look like they came out of a magazine. At Christmas you can take pics of lights on houses and get the whole scene with ease. Scenery pics will look better if you work hard to get a good composition. Its a lens I would be buying if I went full frame.

The lens will distort anyone that you take a picture of. Typically a portrait is taken with a lens in the range of 50mm - 200mm, which minimizes distortion. 50mm is equivalent to what you see with your eye. With that being said it doesn't mean that you cant take good pictures or portraits with your 16-35. In tight spaces you might need the wide end of that lens. If you have Mickey Mouse standing there next to you take the picture with the lens closer to him to make him larger than life while still including the family. Basically, you have to be more creative with an ultra-wide to make images that are stunning. It is a really fun lens!! Just practice with it & get a feel for the lens. I love mine!

you don't see the real value because you are a beginner. This lens is meant for creative photographers who can think of depth, perspective, composition and intelligent framing.

Those 2 photos you posted are snapshot and can be easily taken using an iphone.

even though this was put rather rudely, I have to agree on some level. (although I think "learncanon" needs to learn a little tact)

an UWA is a special lens and from the examples you posted, it looks like a 24-70 might've been more up your alley...or at least a standard zoom. the distortion is something you can learn to play with. sounds to me like you purchased the lens without really knowing what you wanted from it.

Yeah i had money to burn and wanted a lens other than my 2470 and 70200 combo so went for it just not sure for my upcoming vacation if this was a good buy vs a lighter telephoto like the 70-300l so put up this post to see real world uses before I just returned it.

Personally, I think you need to settle down and cool off on all the new gear. Just use your camera and a few lenses and get good at photography before you worry so much about gear all the time. Just some friendly advice that I think will help you relax.

UWA's are fun! They aren't 'easy' to use because of the extreme perspective, but, they are quite useful for many types of shots! You do have to consider the elements in the shot, where with something like a 50mm it's 'easier.'

Sometimes it's not just for tight spaces either...

Here's a few with people. First is from a same sex wedding, the other 2 are from a very small wedding with the same group of people with 16-35, then a 50 1.4. Last is from a larger wedding.

keep it or sell it? It really depends on what your doing with it. UWA's have a special look to them, but, you do have to know what your doing with them to get the most out of them, and you should have some other lenses for a more natural look. If your just looking to get good shots of the fam on vacations, sell the 16-35 and snag a 24-105

UWA's are fun! They aren't 'easy' to use because of the extreme perspective, but, they are quite useful for many types of shots! You do have to consider the elements in the shot, where with something like a 50mm it's 'easier.'

Sometimes it's not just for tight spaces either...

Here's a few with people. First is from a same sex wedding, the other 2 are from a very small wedding with the same group of people with 16-35, then a 50 1.4. Last is from a larger wedding.

keep it or sell it? It really depends on what your doing with it. UWA's have a special look to them, but, you do have to know what your doing with them to get the most out of them, and you should have some other lenses for a more natural look. If your just looking to get good shots of the fam on vacations, sell the 16-35 and snag a 24-105

First shot is brilliant! I was just going to reccomend the OP to check out Scott Kelby's tips on wide angle portraits, when I stumbled on your great shot.

UWA's are fun! They aren't 'easy' to use because of the extreme perspective, but, they are quite useful for many types of shots! You do have to consider the elements in the shot, where with something like a 50mm it's 'easier.'

Sometimes it's not just for tight spaces either...

Here's a few with people. First is from a same sex wedding, the other 2 are from a very small wedding with the same group of people with 16-35, then a 50 1.4. Last is from a larger wedding.

keep it or sell it? It really depends on what your doing with it. UWA's have a special look to them, but, you do have to know what your doing with them to get the most out of them, and you should have some other lenses for a more natural look. If your just looking to get good shots of the fam on vacations, sell the 16-35 and snag a 24-105

First shot is brilliant! I was just going to reccomend the OP to check out Scott Kelby's tips on wide angle portraits, when I stumbled on your great shot.

TY! That one was especially tricky because I had the couple framed at the edge, where the distortion would be the worst. I did do some work in LR to reduce the distortion.

For amazing people portraits, go to jeff ascough's site. He uses this lens (although it may be a bit tricky to figure out which photo goes with which lens). He has plenty of wa/uwa shots that are simply excellent.